Chapter 26
Andros, The City of Wrath
Following the planning everyone begins their monumental march to Andros A City for The Ikari. The 6 hours pass quicker than anyone expected and before they know it.....
"We're here. It's ANDROS."
(Reloj)
They all stop at the massive 60 ft Tall Door that's surrounded by equally massive walls.
"Woah, that's a huge wall. Not tall enough though we can just jump over it right?"
(James)
"We can but.... Above there is a sensor that automatically activates the Omnipresent Sun. None of us can withstand the blow."
(Kazuha)
"This place is really meant to keep people from getting In or Out huh."
(Gruff)
While everyone is thinking about how to get in. Reloj is standing at the front of the door shaking.
"Hey Reloj you okay? What's wrong?"
(Iro)
"He's still here...."
(Reloj)
Reloj is crying with tears of happiness and then his overall mood improves
"Woah! What happened to him."
(Sora)
Reloj wipes the tears off his face and turns around to everyone with an excited face
"Everyone come on! We have to go inside right?! Skill Domain: Complete Stop."
(Reloj)
Everything around comes to well.... a complete stop. The birds, the tree, the grass but even the...
"*cough* What the hell happened to the air? I can't breathe. Wind Magic: Respitator."
(Kazuha)
"I wish he would drop the whole Magic thing does he think he's the protagonist or something. This is bad PR for us."
(James thinking)
"This technique stops absolutely everything except our own body's functions and the laws of the universe inside this domain space of 30ft so we have to hurry up. Gruff can you open the door please."
(Reloj)
"Yeah I can do that. Seems like being a 'god' has it's perks I don't even need oxygen. But this will also be a great test of strength."
(Gruff)
"The reason I had to stop time is because that door is over 1,000,000 tons. To be honest it seems super unlikely but if your a Origin god you can do pretty much anything I guess. Still I doubt even Gruff could open this with ease."
(Reloj)
Gruff walks to the door and attempts to open it with his pinky?
"What are you doing?"
(Reloj)
"A test of strength why?"
(Gruff)
"We don't have the much time this domain can only last for 2 more minutes."
(Reloj)
"Ha! No time? You know for a guy that literally has all of the time in the world. You seem to have a bizarre understanding of not much time. Also you doubt me?"
(Gruff)
"I have nothing to say in response. Gruff can be inspirational in battle. But he's a meathead true and through."
(Reloj thinking)
"I think it's because you haven't been with us that long. But Gruff is without a doubt powerful."
(Sora)
"WAIT! You heard me!? Stop reading my min-"
(Reloj)
A loud rumbling begins. Gruff is actually moving the 1,000,000 tons doors until they...
"It opened!!!!!"
(Reloj)
"Man Gruff you're incredible."
(Kazuha)
"Really? That wasn't anything of a challenge. I could do it with no hands and just will power honestly. Maybe 1,000,000^100."
(Gruff)
"Ok Gruff enough flexing. We have to move."
(James)
Everyone walks into the city. Passing the giant intimidating gates. They're met with a very undeveloped city filled with slums and garbage everywhere. All housing is made with scrap metal and any random materials they builders could find.
"This place doesn't look so well. Are these the conditions sinners have to live under? Everything I find in this place gives me a bigger reason to hate Amateras-"
(Kazuha)
"HUSH! You idiot you know saying his name here is a taboo. Sure we won't be struck down by the Sun. But we will make almost everyone here our enemy."
(Reloj)
"Actually Reloj, I didn't know his name is taboo here. That's something only a resident would know. Taiyo Kazuha and I would have no way of knowing what history purportedly kept out. Again only a person apart from that history would know."
(Kazuha)
"I guess you're right. I apologize. I also apologize for not mentioning I'm from here. I didn't realize until I got to that door. I guess there's some things skills can't fix."
(Reloj)
"It's fine, don't worry about it. But since you're from here. Have any thoughts about someone that can help us fight against you know the Big Guy."
(Kazuha)
"Yeah someone comes to mind. He's without a doubt as strong as you maybe. The Hero of The Underground and Ikari Originator, Ikari Travis."
(Reloj)
"The originator? This should be interesting. Alright take us to him."
(Kazuha)
"Ok but first we have to change into the local attire. Iro you should be able to help right."
(James)
"Huh? Oh yeah I can help. I mean it's nothing but rag's anyway. Normal Skill: Perception of Color. I changed how everyone sees our clothes here. Now all they see is the normal fit they're used to."
(Iro)
"Really!? Thanks, you're really helpful. Ok Reloj we're ready to take us to this Ikari Travis. Weird name by the way Travis doesn't fit this place's theme. Well neither does James or Reloj for that matter so I'll stop talking."
(James)
"Ok just follow me and don't look anyone in the eye."
(Reloj)
They all follow Reloj through the dark and gloomy city of Andros. This place seems to always be dark. As they walk they get an occasional stare. Even after Iro's change of perception nobody seems to trust them. But more importantly some people's eyes pop out as they gasp from shock at the sight of....
"RELOJ!!! Are the rumors true? Your back."
(????)
"Rumors!? We've only been here for 3 minutes! How the hell did a rumor spread so far and fast."
(Reloj)
"Haha. Here in the underground my ears are everyone's ears and my eyes are everywhere. But enough of that I'm so glad you were able to make it back. Ohhh and you brought friends. How about we take this to my place? Ah sorry for my rudeness. Hello there Reloj's friends, the name is, King of The Underworld, Master of Lightning, The Flash of Hope, The kinda almost not really God Slayer, The First Sinner, IKARI TRAVISSSSSSSSSS."
(Ikari Travis)
"What an interesting character."
(James)
"This is the guy that made you cry?"
(Iro)
"I like him; he has a great sense of pride."
(Gruff)
"Of course you would say that you meathead."
(Sora)
"Master, you used to act like this before also."
(Artemis)
"I swear he's not always like this. In fact he's only like this when. TRAVIS WHAT'S WRONG!"
(Reloj)
Ikari Travis drops the act and his voice becomes more deeply toned and serious.
"Ah a smart one indeed. Like I said, let's take this back to my place."
(Travis)
They follow Ikari Travis to his house. A stable hut far from anyone else in the city.
"Ok we're here. Make yourselves at home. Sorry I don't have anything fancy like tea or coffee."
(Travis)
"It's alright nobody cares about any of that. What's going with you? You only act all cheerful and prideful like that if you're trying to hide something or after you win a hard fight. I know full well that no one here can give you a good fight in anything so obviously it's the former."
(Reloj)
"You really know me well, Reloj. The thing is..... I'm bored. I want to leave this place already. Just like you said no one here is interesting. The only pastime I find joy in is helping out the children here. Joy gives me joy. I want to get out there and find a way to free these people. So when you came back I realized how long it been since I've been outside and it made me really depressed. I can easily leave but the two guardians would definitely stop me. One I can definitely take on but both of them are deadly."
(Travis)
"Two Guardians? What two guardians? !!! OH YEAH THAT'S RIGHT! I forgot I don't know how. I'm sorry everyone. The way the Realms are split there's only room for 10 Harbingers to be assigned to one. Meaning there's 2 left over and that's Raijū, The Harbinger of Rage and Ansonī, The Harbinger of Tranquility. They guard the entrance into the Yowai Hikari realm."
(Kazuha)
"Is there any way we can avoid them? Two Harbingers already sounds like it could be trouble for us to handle."
(James)
"No, we can't avoid them at all. Ansonī controls all of the elements on the periodic table. But he was go from #1 to #118. But he can skip to another if he wants. But he could be capable of more. His skills are always kept in the dark because of how deadly he is. They're probably aware of us already; he could've detected us by a disturbance of the elements."
(Kazuha)
Travis lets out a depressing sigh
"You see this is what I meant. It's hard to escape the guys because he could just suffocate me when gets to Oxygen. I don't have the power to respirate so the only chance I got is beating him in one attack. But his partner Raijū would take me out immediately after since I would be out of strength. Really unfair duo those two."
(Travis)
"You really boast alot of strength where does all of this confidence come from?"
(Sora)
"Oh? Reloj didn't tell you guys yet? I used to be a harbinger also."
(Travis)
"REALLY! This is great news. We have an ex-harbinger here."
(Kazuha)
"Why are you so happy Kazuha? I thought you hated these people and the things they do and the person the work under."
(Iustitia)
"I do, I definitely do hate the existing Harbingers. But he's an ex-harbinger. If you knew anything about the Orginal Sinner and as they put in the books his heinous deeds he did against Amater- oops sorry the big guy and Harbingers. You would understand that this guy with absolutely certainty a warrior of justice and a fighter for freedom."
(Kazuha)
"Despite being from a different world he has lots of knowledge of this one. Might be an aspiring historian."
(James thinking)
"Yeah that Kazuha guy is right. I'm no longer affiliated with them nor do I claim or respect them anymore. I finally was able to wake up to the cruel way of ruling Amaterasu was doing. Also don't worry you can say his name here at my house at least. Once I realized how horrible he was I founded an underground group using my first name Ikari. We managed to free 500,000 people and I started a war against the Harbingers and Amaterasu. As you can see we were formally crushed and dismissed off. The two out there were my closest friends and managed to negotiate with Amaterasu to make a better example then killing us. So we were given our own little city with minor freedom. It's been 100 years since that. One century is all it took for me to get bored. How ironic the Harbinger of Hope is now hopeless."
(Travis)
"100 Years!? You don't look that old. Technically I'm also older than I look if count purgatory year's but I won't."
(Iustitia)
"Yeah 100 years it's crazy how much that amount of time went by. When you become a harbinger, you're also turned into a demi-god and given immortality and eternal youth. I expected it to go away after I was kicked out of their ranks.
(Kazuha)
"Thanks for sharing your story. I now know that you are a trustworthy person and I've decided we'll take you in. I'll explain who we are and what our goal is. I am an Origin God and the father of the other three current ones, my name is Origin. Although that's just what I am though not who I am. Who I am is James Mitasakou, leader of the Mitasakou Clan and vessel of Origin. The big muscular guy over there is Gruff. Gruff is the Origin God of Pain although he's very new to all of this God thing. The quiet guy with the colorful hair is Sora. Sora is unique to say the least. The girl with the dark green hair and eyes is Iustitia, she's a bit slow but she hits hard and fights honestly. The one with the um..... unique body is Artemis. She is very timid and quiet. She mainly speaks to me and Sora but that's because of her Origins she means no harm. The red haired feisty one is Iro. You can say she's Artemis's sister of sorts despite the difference in bodies. Kazuha is a newcomer, he's from a different planet but it seems that he's also a true resident of this one. I think he's the strongest among us but I'm not completely sure. He also likes to eat up dialogue and has main character syndrome."
(James)
"... Wow, it seems like a team good enough to beat them. You sure found yourself some reliable teammates huh Reloj. But I have a question. Can any of you help with respiration? The only way we can beat those guys is if we can breathe. But it can't be like an oxygen tank or anything oxygen related. It has to be pure air that can let us breathe but also not be composed of elements. I know that's a big ask."
(Travis)
"HAHAHAHA! It would seem my time to shine has come. I, Kazuha, the ultimate Mage, wielder of all forms of magic. Shall help you eliminate these foes. Nothing is impossible with the power of magic."
(Kazuha)
"Magic? Never heard of it must be your Sun Slate power. It seems like an original one also. If that's the case I have no doubt in your skills as a fighter. Now Kazuha will you assist me in this fight?"
(Travis)
"Of course I'll help we all share a common goal. I see no reason to lend you a hand."
(Kazuha)
"I also really want to see an ex-harbinger in action."
(Kazuha thinking)
"Ok I'll give you a rundown on my powers. Its name is True Electricity. Anything I zap will instantly be destroyed. Speed isn't a problem to me. If I was able to get out of Ansonī's range I would be able to go to The Land of The Moon instantly. But everything in his range is instantaneous and I don't move that fast in my base state. Speaking of states, there's my trump card, the Ikari State. I'm sure you all noticed the marking on my arm. It's the branding of sin. It's meant to burn vicious black flames with insufferable pain. But me being a genius and all I was able to incorporate the flames power into my power. I can activate the brand at will and turn the black flames into black sparks. Now instead of feeling the insufferable pain I give it. The power of an Origin God is scary. When I'm in this state I feel unstoppable and my power starts to overflow. The only caveat is that it only lasts 15 minutes so far and this fight will definitely drag on to an hour at the least. But my huge loadout of skills will make up for it."
(Travis)
"Oh? It seems that you are unaware of other state you possess. Travis, have you ever heard of the Omni-State?"
(James)
"Omni-State? Nope can't say I ever heard of it. What is it?"
(Travis)
"The Omni-State. Is a time period/form in which all of your Origins* power will allow you to control it with absoluteness meaning your electricity will be able to do anything and everything all for 1 minute. But after this one minute you'll be out for months so I don't recommend it unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY."
(James)
*Origin is the name of the power system in the Boundless series. Everyone is born with an Origin but the base power is weaker and less useful than anyone who found their true power
"Weird, they would hide knowledge of Omni-State's. Are they afraid of someone good enough to use it? If such a person exists we must find them."
(James thinking)
"Something like that exists?! No wonder I never heard of it. The gods must fear someone who can rival them with that power. But the downside sounds horrible so I won't be doing that in this fight. Alright let me gather my things and bust out of this place. I only wish I had somewhere the people could go. It'll probably be bad without me."
(Travis)
"In that case I have a plan. I can put them into a fictional world where they can start new lives. Are you fine with that Travis? We can always bring them out after everything is over."
(Sora)
"You can do that?! That's amazing. I mean sure as long as they're happy and safe go ahead and do it."
(Travis)
"! What was that feeling just now?"
(James thinking)
"Alright. Skill Domain: Reverse Fiction."
(Sora)
Sora expands his effect area to send everyone except them to a fictional world where the people can experience their most desirable life. The once gloomy and wrathful city of Andros is now nothing but a desolate ghost town. James ask everyone to check if everyone is truly gone
"Wow they're really all gone. I hope they can enjoy themselves. I brought them all into this mess and I'll get them out of it. I will become a symbol of hope again. Alright break down this wall let's fuck these guys up."
(Travis)
Travis tears the thick steel wall down as if it was paper. Outside waits Ansonī and Raijū who anticipated this outcome
"Travis. Attempting to escape again huh. Oh? What's this you brought friends? I hope you don't think this increases your chances of victory."
(Raijū)
Raijū, The Harbinger of Rage. An intimidating muscular well built man with a tall stature and dark skin. A well respected man across The Land Of Heaven. Raijū is a serious factor in a fight, chances are you will win if he's on your team. His gift that he got from Amaterasu is the power of True Fire. Raijū is the very embodiment of Fire and controls everything that composes it also. This means that he can output the power of a supernova explosion to the 1,000,000th power if he chooses but it can also be greater. Raijū can burn absolutely anything no matter what. Be it time,space, reality, life. Even things like meanings, reason, and concepts.This power is what makes him one of the strongest harbingers and guard of the Ikari Realm.
"Surely this fool hasn't forgotten I can just take away his oxygen. Everything in this area is under my control."
(Ansonī)
Ansonī, Harbinger of Tranquility
Ansonī is a mysterious person when it comes to his abilities. The only thing known about him is his ability to make any women fall for him and his rivalry against his fellow Harbinger Raijū. The two have a long past with each other as well as the former Harbinger of Hope, Ikari Travis. Ansonī controls every Element on the periodic table with absolutely no boundaries to how they can be used. But Ansonī has to go in the order of their atomic number. If Ansonī uses #1 Hydrogen they have to use #2 Helium after and cannot go back until he cycles the entire table. Ansonī must hit every attack or else they cannot use that element for the next 5 cycles. However Ansonī has a huge array of skills at his disposal that makes up for his shortcomings.
"Hello old friends. Are you ready to y'all asses beat? #10 and #11. Your senior #9 is going to give you guys a nice beating. Prepare yourselves this won't be easy."
(Travis)